US President Donald Trump orders Pentagon to create ‘space force’

DONALD Trump has signalled his intention to create a sixth branch of the US armed forces, and it will literally be out of this world.

AP, AFP

News Corp Australia NetworkJune 19, 20185:32am

US President Donald Trump wants his own “space force”. Picture: APSource:AP

VOWING to reclaim American leadership in space, US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he is directing the Pentagon to create a new “Space Force” as an independent service branch aimed at ensuring American supremacy in space.

Mr Trump envisioned a bright future for the US space program, pledging to revive the country’s flagging efforts, return to the moon and eventually send a manned mission that would reach Mars.

Donald Trump shakes the hand of NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine after signing a directive about space during at the White House. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

The US President framed space as a national security issue, saying he does not want “China and Russia and other countries leading us.”

“My administration is reclaiming America’s heritage as the world’s greatest spacefaring nation,” Mr Trump said at the White House, where he was joined by members of his space council.

“The essence of the American character is to explore new horizons and to tame new frontiers.”

The International Space Station. The US could soon be patrolling space. Picture: NASA via APSource:AP

Mr Trump had previously suggested the possibility of creating a space unit that would include portions equivalent to parts of the Air Force, Army and Navy. But his directive will task the Defence Department to begin the process of establishing the “Space Force” as the sixth branch of the US armed forces. He said the new branch’s creation will be overseen by General Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“When it comes to defending America, it is not enough to merely have an American presence in space. We must have American dominance in space,” Mr Trump said.

“We are going to have the Air Force and we are going to have the Space Force, separate but equal.”

Mr Trump also used the White House event to establish a new policy for reducing satellite clutter in space. The policy calls for providing a safe and secure environment up in orbit, as satellite traffic increases. It also sets up new guidelines for satellite design and operation, to avoid collisions and spacecraft breakups.

Models of space craft and other NASA objects are unpacked before an event with the space council at the White House. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

Mr Trump was joined by Vice President Mike Pence, who leads the recently revived space council, as well as several Cabinet members, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, retired astronauts and scientists.

The council’s executive secretary, Scott Pace, told reporters before the meeting that space is becoming increasingly congested and current guidelines are inadequate to address the challenge.

Mr Trump also signed a directive on space traffic management, aimed at boosting public-private monitoring of objects in orbit so as to avoid collisions and debris strikes.

A statement released by the White House said the move “seeks to reduce the growing threat of orbital debris to the common interest of all nations.”